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1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI vs 1.0 EcoBoost: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI carries less risk than the 1.0 EcoBoost: 23/100 (low risk) versus 71/100 (high risk). The 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI has no documented serious faults; the 1.0 EcoBoost has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Degradation of the timing belt running in oil».

Risk index

1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

23

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.0 EcoBoost

71

High risk · 3 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

23 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI reliable?

The three-cylinder 1.0 TSI has a reputation for being robust and has no systematic serious faults. The 2017–2019 1.5 TSI evo suffered cold-start jerking at low speed, which Volkswagen corrected with software between 2019 and 2020; later units and the 2022 evo2 are more mature. Watch for coolant leaks and check the 2019 and 2020 recalls.[1][2][3][4][5]

See the 5 of the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI faults

Is the 1.0 EcoBoost reliable?

It is a turbocharged direct-injection three-cylinder that has won Engine of the Year several times, but it has two very well-documented weak points: two belts running in oil (timing and oil pump) that can disintegrate and seize the engine, and cases of coolant leaks and overheating in early units. It is best bought with a service history and the belts checked or replaced on time.[6][7][8][9]

See the 4 of the 1.0 EcoBoost faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI and 1.0 EcoBoost
1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI1.0 EcoBoost
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—999 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Wet belt (belt-in-oil)
Power82–150 hp100–155 hp
Productionsince 2014[10][11][12][13][14]since 2012[6][15][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)23Low risk71High risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity03
Worst severityMedium severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Coolant leaks from the water pump and thermostat module
  2. Low severity: Cold jerking at low speed ("kangaroo effect") on the 1.5 TSI evo
  3. Medium severity: Lack of torque on starting in the manual 150 hp 1.5 TSI (2019 recall)
  1. Critical severity: Degradation of the timing belt running in oil
  2. Critical severity: Oil pump belt and tensioner failure
  3. Critical severity: Coolant leaks and overheating from the turbo hose
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €1,200Degradation of the timing belt running in oilPublished figure[7]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.0 TSI EA211 (CHZ, DKL, DKR; 2014 onwards)[1][2][5]
  • 1.0 TSI / 1.0 eTSI evo (DLAA, DLAB; 2020 onwards)[1][12]
  • 1.5 TSI / 1.5 eTSI evo 114/130/150 hp (DPCA, DPBC; built from 2020)[1][18]
  • 1.5 TSI / 1.5 eTSI evo2 116/150 hp (DXDB, DNKA; 2022 onwards)[1][19]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.5 TSI evo 130/150 hp (DACA, DADA, DPBA; 2017–2019)[1][3][4]
  • 1.0 EcoBoost 100/125 (Fox, 2012-2017)[7][8][20]
  • 1.0 EcoBoost 100/125/140 with cylinder deactivation (from ~2017)[21][22]
  • 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid 48V mild hybrid (125/155 hp, from 2019)[6][23]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

See the 42 models with the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

1.0 EcoBoost

See the 11 models with the 1.0 EcoBoost

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

With the 1.0 EcoBoost

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Zuverlässigkeit der TSI-Motoren von 1.0 bis 2.0: welche Jahrgänge und Generationen Probleme machenAutohled · Motoring press · published 15 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  2. VW EA211: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 26 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  3. ¿Tu motor 1.5 TSI de Volkswagen sufre de tirones en frío? Llegan novedadesMotor.es · Motoring press · published 5 September 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. VW, Seat und Skoda: Rückruf wegen Motorsoftware-Updatekfz-betrieb (Vogel Communications) · Motoring press · published 30 September 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  5. Rückruf bei VW, Seat und Skoda: Neue Einspritzanlage für TSI-Motorkfz-betrieb (Vogel Communications) · Motoring press · published 29 July 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  6. Ford EcoBoost engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  7. Alerta Ford: la correa de distribución del 1.0 EcoBoost puede romper el motor y la NHTSA ya investigaMotor16 · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Los Ford 1.0 EcoBoost tricilíndricos están dando problemas de correas bañadas que recuerdan al caso PureTechMotor.es · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Gripa el motor por problema en el manguito se queda sin refrigeranteOpinautos · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. VW EA211Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  11. VW EA211 evoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  12. The compact all-rounder: TSI evo engine with a capacity of 1.0 and 1.5 litresVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 8 December 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
  13. Golf eTSI, Golf eHybrid and Golf GTE – International Media Drive (dossier de prensa)Volkswagen AG · Manufacturer · published August 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. Prueba de consumo (251): VW Golf Evo 1.5-TSI ACT 150 CV DSG Sport R-Line 5pkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 January 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Prueba: Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost 100 CV (2013)km77 · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Ford Mondeo Berlina Trend 1.0 EcoBoost 92 kW (125 CV) (2015-2018): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Ford B-MAX Trend 1.0 EcoBoost 100 CV (2012-2018): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Efecto canguro, el problema de los tirones en frío de los motores 1.5 TSI del Grupo VolkswagenSeis en Línea · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Volkswagen EA211 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  20. Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?Carbuyer · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026
  21. Ford's Self-Clogging 1.0-Liter EcoBoost Engine Is Finally Getting RecalledThe Drive · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026
  22. The Largest Ford EcoBoost Recalls In 15 Years Of ProductionCarBuzz · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026
  23. Stellantis no es el único afectado por la correa de distribución bañada en aceiteAutofácil · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish